162 replies to this topic

[yngvef]

I am a random poster, mostly lurker, on this forum. I am no expert on Battletech. I have played Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries when it was rereleased for free by Mektek, and I've read a bit on sarna.net, but when people are discussing the finer points of the "Jihad" or something, I don't know what they're talking about.

This i obviously quite ok. I like learning new stuff and reading up on the canon of the "universe", even though I don't have the time to read thick books on the subject.

I do however worry that some players and forum members have a "fear" of the experts that make them scared of saying "the wrong thing". There are many established "truths" about BT that most of us "novices" don't know much about.

I for one, like mechs like the Argus and the Hauptmann, mostly for their looks. If they were included in MWO, I would probably choose them because of this. I have no idea if this opinion is "wrong" in some way.

Another example: I thought MW4:Mercs with mekpak was a pretty good game. I actually liked the single-player campaign, and I'm not ashamed to say so. I've read many places on this forum that "MW4 has ruined a generation of mech-players" or something like that. The only reason I was attracted to MWO was because I learned about mechs and battletech through MW4, so it can't be that bad.

My point is: I hope we casual Battletech-fans, or even just "big-robot"-fans are welcome, despite not being able to recite the entire line of succesion in House Steiner.

[Max Liao]

yngvef, on 09 June 2012 - 04:22 AM, said:

My point is: I hope we casual Battletech-fans, or even just "big-robot"-fans are welcome, despite not being able to recite the entire line of succesion in House Steiner.

I would hope that "big-robot"-fans would at least take the time to learn the basics BattleTech, MechWarrior, and the B-tech universe. This isn't Big Robot Combat Online, it's MechWarrior Online.

Other than that, every starts from somewhere, so get involved, read, ask and learn.

[CoffiNail]

People should have little fear is posting the wrong thing. I would say almost all the 'expert' base on the MWO boards would not flame someone for saying the wrong thing (Unless they ask for something like energy shields on the Mech Which has happened)

We are a fanatic bunch, but we also like to educate and most BT inexperienced posts get helpful responses from the fanbase. We know the only way to make the franchise grow is to get new people in it. Only one you need to worry about is Jaroth, and he is not a scary guy, just very blunt and to the point.

[yngvef]

Max Liao, on 09 June 2012 - 04:26 AM, said:

I would hope that "big-robot"-fans would at least take the time to learn the basics BattleTech, MechWarrior, and the B-tech universe. This isn't Big Robot Combat Online, it's MechWarrior Online.

Other than that, every starts from somewhere, so get involved, read, ask and learn.

Yes, my point is that I think a lot of the people who just start playing the game because of the cool robots end up becoming interested in the universe as well. When I downloaded Mechwarrior Mercenaries for free, I didn't even know there was a "universe" at all. I just thought it was a random robot-franchise invented by Microsoft. Yes, It's ok to laugh!

After playing the game, I got interested in learning more about the types of mechs as well as the story behind these unfamiliar terms "clans" and "inner sphere".

[LethalMezzle]

I'm in pretty much the exact same situation as you, just replace 'MW4' with 'MW3' instead.

I do feel somewhat out of my depth but honestly I'm not too bothered about the lore. You don't have to explore all the backstory for a game to enjoy it, particularly a multiplayer one.

What I am concerned about is that when I eventually join the ranks of the MechWarriors I'm going to get absolutely wrecked by people who have heat management down to an art and can core me with an AC/20 or Gauss Rifle shot from 800 metres away whilst I desperately try to leg it in my Light Mech.

I have pretty much accepted that as an inevitablility though, because every time you learn a new game you suck and have to practice to get anywhere, although I usually read up on some basic things and have some solo practice before I jump in to make my life easier, which does help.

[Sadnebula]

Let's hope we have a mature, friendly community, I believe we will. Many of us have
been interesting in MW since the board game. Do I remember all this stuff ? not at all.
Is it going to impact how much fun I'll have with a good MW game and community?
not at all.

New game, new community. big robot fan or MW pro, Hopefully the elitist, the stat pros, min/ maxers
and all the other labels that describe players that step on others game play experiences will not get a foot hold here.

[Aegis Kleais]

Veterans who are worth listening to are those who just try to teach you about the way things are.

For example, you told me you choose a Mech by its looks, which to me, really is a poor way to choose a Mech. You're more than entitled to choose Mechs that way, but I think you're losing out on finding a chassis that suits your play style based on cosmetics, which have no effect in game.

As such, you're not maximizing your potential. Luckily for me, the Timber Wolf (which isn't out yet) is also a very versatile platform whose Omnimech capabilities play right into my desire for symmetric weapons platforms. It supports the equipment I like, the speed I need and has great armor.

Aside from that, you guys really shouldn't mind what any expert says. We're entitled to our own opinions, just be mindful if yours are asking to change features about the universe that are core values to it. (ie, "I wish MWO was more like CoD" would not go over all too well here because what makes MWO the way it is, to us, is highly valued just the way it is)

[yngvef]

Ok, I need to correct one thing: I actually find the Argus to be a good mech in MW4 because my build is quite fast and packs a decent punch. The Hauptmann however was chosen because it was the first assault mech I ever tried, and I love it because the knees bend backwards. I don't like mechs that just look like big people.

I know you shouldn't choose mechs based on looks, but there are some mechs I cannot choose because they are simply too ugly

[yngvef]

LethalMezzle, on 09 June 2012 - 04:39 AM, said:

I'm in pretty much the exact same situation as you, just replace 'MW4' with 'MW3' instead.

I do feel somewhat out of my depth but honestly I'm not too bothered about the lore. You don't have to explore all the backstory for a game to enjoy it, particularly a multiplayer one.

True, you don't have to know all the backstory, but in order to enjoy and understand the faction wars you need to study a little. I chose the "Free Rasalhague Republic" mostly because I'm from Norway, and the fact that they are underdogs, which I like. I do not, however, feel I know a whole lot about their story, but I know they'll have a bad time when the clans arrive.

[Blu C]

If there is anyone reading this thread who would like to know more about the BattleTech universe but doesn't want to buy the source books there are a few easy to access resources here online that can get you pointed in the right direction:

Classic Battletech Universe: In general gives a brief history of the universe and the factions involved.

Sarna BattleTech Wiki: More indepth summeries on specific topics, though at times can be out-of-date.

[Ratzap]

LethalMezzle, on 09 June 2012 - 04:39 AM, said:

What I am concerned about is that when I eventually join the ranks of the MechWarriors I'm going to get absolutely wrecked by people who have heat management down to an art and can core me with an AC/20 or Gauss Rifle shot from 800 metres away whilst I desperately try to leg it in my Light Mech.

No need to fear such a thing (yet). Everything, absolutely everything, hangs on what rule set they implement into the game. If they lean toward MW tendancies you'll be the one to fear, if they keep closer to TT rules then yes the old players start with an advantage. Only start though, you're smart right and learn fast - I can't see it taking long for things to even out.

From what I've seen and read so far though the usual things apply: Situational awareness and location of your lancemates is paramount. Stay calm - even if you're being pounded resist the temptation to mash alpha till you melt. Aim and stay within your heat budget. Once the other guy has got himself nice n toasty he'll miss so much you can tear him to pieces at a range you prefer.

[GrizzlyViking]

yngvef, on 09 June 2012 - 04:22 AM, said:

I am a random poster, mostly lurker, on this forum. I am no expert on Battletech. I have played Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries when it was rereleased for free by Mektek, and I've read a bit on sarna.net, but when people are discussing the finer points of the "Jihad" or something, I don't know what they're talking about.

This i obviously quite ok. I like learning new stuff and reading up on the canon of the "universe", even though I don't have the time to read thick books on the subject.

I do however worry that some players and forum members have a "fear" of the experts that make them scared of saying "the wrong thing". There are many established "truths" about BT that most of us "novices" don't know much about.

I for one, like mechs like the Argus and the Hauptmann, mostly for their looks. If they were included in MWO, I would probably choose them because of this. I have no idea if this opinion is "wrong" in some way.

Another example: I thought MW4:Mercs with mekpak was a pretty good game. I actually liked the single-player campaign, and I'm not ashamed to say so. I've read many places on this forum that "MW4 has ruined a generation of mech-players" or something like that. The only reason I was attracted to MWO was because I learned about mechs and battletech through MW4, so it can't be that bad.

My point is: I hope we casual Battletech-fans, or even just "big-robot"-fans are welcome, despite not being able to recite the entire line of succesion in House Steiner.

The reality is that the majority of players that are presently in the community played MW4 and liked it. There are a few loud anti-MW4 activists out there that are similar to the Occupy movement in the US in that they are a very small number of people with a lot of visablity due to their loud whining. If you ignore them, they will eventually quit posting. heheheheh

Edited by GrizzlyViking, 09 June 2012 - 05:32 AM.

[Aegis Kleais]

yngvef, on 09 June 2012 - 05:05 AM, said:

I know you shouldn't choose mechs based on looks, but there are some mechs I cannot choose because they are simply too ugly

So in other words, you're aware of the truth in the statement, you just choose not to partake of its wisdom.

I guess I'm lucky. The Wolf is a mean contender at all ranges and looks damn good doing it!

[UnLimiTeD]

CoffiNail, on 09 June 2012 - 04:27 AM, said:

(Unless they ask for something like energy shields on the Mech Which has happened)

Well, there's the Blue Shield Particle Field Damper.
That comes pretty close, doesn't it? Just 3 more years...

[IIIuminaughty]

yngvef, on 09 June 2012 - 04:22 AM, said:

I am a random poster, mostly lurker, on this forum. I am no expert on Battletech. I have played Mechwarrior 4 Mercenaries when it was rereleased for free by Mektek, and I've read a bit on sarna.net, but when people are discussing the finer points of the "Jihad" or something, I don't know what they're talking about.

This i obviously quite ok. I like learning new stuff and reading up on the canon of the "universe", even though I don't have the time to read thick books on the subject.

I do however worry that some players and forum members have a "fear" of the experts that make them scared of saying "the wrong thing". There are many established "truths" about BT that most of us "novices" don't know much about.

I for one, like mechs like the Argus and the Hauptmann, mostly for their looks. If they were included in MWO, I would probably choose them because of this. I have no idea if this opinion is "wrong" in some way.

Another example: I thought MW4:Mercs with mekpak was a pretty good game. I actually liked the single-player campaign, and I'm not ashamed to say so. I've read many places on this forum that "MW4 has ruined a generation of mech-players" or something like that. The only reason I was attracted to MWO was because I learned about mechs and battletech through MW4, so it can't be that bad.

My point is: I hope we casual Battletech-fans, or even just "big-robot"-fans are welcome, despite not being able to recite the entire line of succesion in House Steiner.

Don't be scared. The people that will correct you will correct anyone. They love the game sooooooo much (fan Favorites)
Speak your mind or...Speak your mind!

[CCC Dober]

OP: Have you had a chance to visit forums of other similarly big universes/games?
The underlying pattern is that nobody knows everything about them, just a couple of facts in an endless sea of information. Some know more, some less. Filling the gaps either through reading, logic, educated guesses or experience is what makes everybody equal in that sense.
The actual interpretation or meaning differs and this is where a lot of conflicts may arise. Some things can be interpreted correctly, other things remain unclear, where information/sources contradict each other. Many things aren't cut as clear as they appear on first glance, least of all in BT. Welcome aboard =)

[Alex Wolfe]

If you come to like the franchise, you'll come to learn about the lore on your own accord, just like those "experts" did - even if some of them forget it and try to force-feed information to the newcomers and shout people down for not knowing obscure details. It doesn't really matter at the end of the day, despite some people misguided enthusiasm. It's made for fun, after all - making it SERIOUS BUSINESS pretty much ruins the purpose.

Once the game ships, as long as you learn to pilot, we're good imo.

Edited by Alex Wolfe, 09 June 2012 - 05:40 AM.

[Frostiken]

yngvef, on 09 June 2012 - 04:22 AM, said:

Another example: I thought MW4:Mercs with mekpak was a pretty good game. I actually liked the single-player campaign, and I'm not ashamed to say so. I've read many places on this forum that "MW4 has ruined a generation of mech-players" or something like that. The only reason I was attracted to MWO was because I learned about mechs and battletech through MW4, so it can't be that bad.

To many of us, MW4 is to Mechwarrior what Call of Duty is to FPS games. I for one found it way too dumbed-down, missing too many critical features, with too much broken balance and some really eye-rollingly bad design.

NHUA (no heat / unlimited ammo) is the penultimate example of this. NHUA was not an exception of playstyle. When people say they're coming from MW4, I take everything they have to say with a grain of salt because NHUA was commonplace, poptarting was worse than it's ever been before or since, and whatever skills they learned are probably not and should not apply. It's the same reason if someone came and talked about how much they knew about Mechwarrior because they played Mechassault would make me want to backhand them. It's a totally different game.

All the Mechwarrior games are flawed in their own special way, but MW4 to me wasn't "broken" like jumpjets in MW3 were, but just greatly lowered the bar overall.

[Alizabeth Aijou]

yngvef, on 09 June 2012 - 04:22 AM, said:

I for one, like mechs like the Argus and the Hauptmann, mostly for their looks. If they were included in MWO, I would probably choose them because of this. I have no idea if this opinion is "wrong" in some way.

Yeah, that'd be wrong.
Argus doesn't appear until 3059 and the Hauptmann doesn't until 3060.
MW4 happens around 3062-3067, iirc.
Not quite sure when the events are supposed to happen, but probably towards mid-end '60s.

Quote

if they keep closer to TT rules then yes the old players start with an advantage

Primarily in knowledge, at it.
It's still a new game, and as such everyone needs to get adjusted to the specifics.

[Sychodemus]

Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is how people learn.

Learn to separate opinion from fact. Voicing both is fine.

Don't worry about getting blasted in the game. Everyone will experience it.

MW4-hate is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. It is pointless.